Customizable clutch with interchangeable shells and interchangeable clasps

ABSTRACT

A customizable clutch having a pair of removable shells and an interchangeable clasp mechanism to allow a wearer to change the look and style of the clutch. The customizable clutch has a main body with a pair of half sections, a removable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, and an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections. Removable rigid inner shells are removably attached to the pair of rigid half shells forming the main body using magnets. Interchangeable outer shells are removably attached to the removable rigid inner shells using a fastener.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/037,101, filed Sep. 25, 2013, entitled “Customizable Clutch with Interchangeable Shells and Drop-In Clasps,” published as US 2015/0083288 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to clutches, and more particularly to a rigid customizable or modular clutch with interchangeable shells and interchangeable clasps.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional handbags allow no flexibility in color coordination or in texture coordination with different clothing apparels that a user may wear. Such considerations are especially important in ladies' handbags and clutches. Modern fashion clutches are often of similar shape but have very different decorative clasps, which change the look and sometimes the function of the clutch. Users are forced to either purchase and store a number of different clutches for use with different apparel outfits, or they must use the same clutch even though the exposed surface may clash or is otherwise inappropriate for use on particular occasions. Owning several clutches is not only expensive but it also requires a lot of storage room in one's closet or suitcase. Further, moving the contents of one clutch into a different clutch can be a tedious process, and there is a risk that something important may be left behind unnoticed in a pocket of the original clutch.

Several attempts have been made to develop handbags and clutches with interchangeable covers for changing the external appearance. Various solutions have not entirely solved the current problems, including loss of items from open-mouth purses or purse inserts; increasing complexity of purses with interior pockets and flaps; inefficient means for fastening a cover to a foundation bag; and undesirable bulkiness or heaviness of the resulting handbag. Some handbags and purses provide embedded releasable snap fasteners to fasten detachable and interchangeable coverings and handles. However, these snap fasteners may easily come off and look unattractive.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a customizable clutch with interchangeable outer shells and interchangeable clasps. Such a needed clutch would be rigid and easily customized to change its appearance. The customizable clutch would comprise a main body and interchangeable inner and outer shells and interchangeable clasps. The customizable clutch would also comprise a system that allows the clutch to easily interchange outer shells. Further, the clutch would comprise a clasp system that allows the clutch to easily interchange clasps or handles to provide desirable clutch designs and colors. Such a unique customizable rigid clutch would avoid the need for purchasing several clutches for coordination with different apparels that a user may wear. The present invention accomplishes these, among other, objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiment is a customizable rigid clutch with interchangeable outer shells and clasps. The customizable rigid clutch comprises a rigid main body, at least one interchangeable outer shell secured to the rigid main body, and an interchangeable clasp system. The main body serves as a platform for the interchangeable shells and the interchangeable clasps. The interchangeable outer shells and the interchangeable clasps may be easily changed for coordination with different apparels that a user may wear.

Accordingly, the customizable clutch has a main body having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections attached along a bottom side by a hinge, and each of the pair of half sections having a first magnetic portions. The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a second magnetic portion to removably attach to the first magnetic portions in the pair of half sections of the main body. The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable (soft) outer shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a fastener to removably attach to the pair of half sections of the removable rigid inner shell.

The customizable clutch also has an interchangeable clasp mechanism, which has a clasp base and at least one removable clasp. The customizable clutch has a clasp base having a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button. The removable clasp has an indent formed therein for receiving the latch. When the release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows the removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a customizable clutch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the customizable clutch in accordance with an embodiment of present invention in an open state;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the customizable clutch system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the customizable clutch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing details of the interchangeable outer shell;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the clasp mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clasp mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention where the clasp is being released by a user;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the clasp base of the clasp mechanism with the clasp removed and the release button in an up position;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the clasp base of the clasp mechanism with the clasp removed and the release button in a down position;

FIG. 7C is bottom-perspective view of clasp piece;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the clasp base removed from the customizable clutch;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the clasp base showing mechanical details; and

FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of the customizable clutch showing the spring of the customizable clutch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following describes exemplary embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Among other things, the following invention may be embodied as methods or devices. As such, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed descriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

Referring to FIG. 1, customizable clutch 101 in accordance with one aspect of the invention is illustrated. Customizable clutch 101 generally comprises a main body 102, at least one interchangeable rigid inner shells (not visible in FIG. 1) surrounded by an interchangeable outer shell 103, and an interchangeable clasp mechanism 104. Main body 102 generally comprises two rigid half shells 102A and 102B, which open and close along a hinge at a bottom of the main body 102. FIG. 1 shows two rigid half shells 102A and 102B in a closed state. Interchangeable clasp mechanism 104 generally comprises a clasp base (not visible in FIG. 1) and clasp portion 105.

FIG. 2 shows customizable clutch 101 in an open state and exemplary optional features. For example, customizable clutch 101 can have hooks 106 formed on an inside of main body 102 to allow for attachment of varying carrying straps or handles. Also formed on an inside of main body 102 are two side walls 107 that keep various contents stored inside customizable clutch 101. In one example, pockets 108 (zippered or non-zippered) and card holders 109 can also be included to allow for organization of the contents stored inside customizable clutch 101.

FIG. 3 shows a partial exploded view of the customizable clutch 101 with a plurality of interchangeable outer covers or shells 103 and a plurality of clasp pieces 105. In this view, removable rigid inner half shells 110 are shown detached from main body 102. Removable rigid inner half shells 110 affix (removably) to rigid half shells 102 via at least one magnetic portion 111 (either magnet or metal disk). Corresponding to the at least one magnetic portion 111 on main body 102 is another magnetic portion 112 (either magnet or metal disk) so that removable rigid inner half shell 110 can attach to main body 102. Magnetic portion 111 on main body 102 can fit in a recess formed on an inside of main body 102. Lining found on the inside of main body 102 can be used to cover the appearance of the magnetic portion 112.

Magnetic portion 111 is shown in FIG. 3 to be circular but can be a variety of shapes. A metal plate can be used in conjunction with the either magnetic portion to increase the magnet's strength and also to shield the magnet from the contents placed in the customizable clutch 101.

Clasp pieces 105 can have a variety of shapes and be made out of a number of materials. In a preferred embodiment, clasp piece 105 is made of a jewel or stone. Each clasp piece 105 has a dovetail-shaped recessed portion 122 to mate with the clasp base 118 found on main body 102 of customizable clutch 101.

Interchangeable outer shell 103 can also be made of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to leather, suede, denim, cotton or other natural or artificial fabric material and have a variety of patterns or embellishments. In a preferred embodiment, interchangeable outer shell 103 is non-rigid.

FIG. 4 shows details of the interchangeable outer shell 103 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Interchangeable outer shell 103 has a main rectangular portion 113 and four side walls 114 extending from each side of main rectangular portion 113. At the distal end of the each of four side walls 114 is a tab 115.

Removable rigid inner half shell 110 also has a main rectangular portion 116 and four side walls 117 extending from main rectangular portion 116. Loop and hook fasteners 115 (such as VELCRO®) are provided on a portion of the inside of each of the four side walls 114 and also on an inside walls of the four side walls 117 of removable rigid inner half shell 110. In a preferred embodiment, removable rigid inner half shell 110 has chamfered corners to allow interchangeable outer shells 103 to cover removable rigid inner half shell 110.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of interchangeable clasp mechanism 104 with clasp piece 105 connected to main body 102 via clasp base 118. Shown in this figure is release button 119, which allows a user to easily interchange clasp piece 105.

FIG. 6 shows a user actuating release button 119 of clasp base 118 to slide clasp piece 105 off clasp base 118. As a user pushes release button 119, clasp piece 105 is released from a latch found on clasp base 118.

FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of the clasp base 118. Fasteners 120, such as screws, hold clasp base 118 together. In this example, clasp base 118 is in a clasp-engaging state, where release button 119 is in a non-actuated state and spring-loaded latching mechanism 121 is in an up position to hold the clasp piece 105 (not shown in this FIG.) in place. In an up position, the latch of the spring-loaded latching mechanism 121 can mate with an indent 129 formed in clasp piece 105 (shown in FIG. 7C).

FIG. 7B shows the spring-loaded latching mechanism 121 in a down position, which occurs by pushing release button 119 and lowering the latch (at 121) of the spring-loaded latching mechanism 121. When the latch of the spring-loaded latching mechanism 121 is down, clasp piece 105 is able to be slid off by a user.

FIG. 7C shows the bottom of the clasp piece 105. Clasp piece 105 has a recess 122 formed therein to mate with clasp base 118 (shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B). In a preferred embodiment recess 122 and clasp base 118 are dovetail shaped. Other shapes could be used without departing from the general scope of the invention. Recess 122 is defined by a base portion 123, two side walls 124, and a rear abutting wall 125. Formed in recess 122 is indent 129, which mates with latch (at 121 shown in FIGS. 7A & 7B).

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of clasp base 118 removed from main body 102 of customizable clutch 101. Clasp base 118 has spring-loaded mechanism 121 and U-shaped portion 126, which is rigidly fixed to the body of clasp base 118. Clasp base 118 has a number of fasteners 120 and release button 119.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of clasp base 118 and the spring-loaded latching mechanism 121. As release button 119 is depressed, release button 119 actuates spring-loaded mechanism 121 against the spring 127, lowering a latch portion (at 121) of the spring-loaded latching mechanism 121. When latch portion (at 121) is lowered, clasp piece is able to be slid, removed, and replaced by a user. Latch portion (at 121) is also tapered such that sliding of clasp piece along latch portion depresses the latch portion against the force of the spring-load.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the customizable clutch 101 showing spring 128 of the customizable clutch 101 and clasp piece 105. Spring 127 extends through U-shaped portion 126 of clasp base 118. As spring 128 is twisted by movement of U-shaped portion 126, torque is created to keep the clasp base closed on the main body of customizable cutch 101. Spring 128 extends around an inside corner of the main body 102 of customizable clutch 101, which corner creates a fulcrum to allow the spring 128 to twist thereon.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

1. A customizable clutch comprising: a main body having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections attached along a bottom side by a hinge, each of the pair of half sections having a first magnetic portions; an interchangeable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a second magnetic portion to removably attach to the first magnetic portions in the pair of half sections of the main body; an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a fastener to removably attach to the pair of half sections of the interchangeable rigid inner shell; and an interchangeable clasp mechanism having a clasp base and at least one removable clasp.
 2. The customizable clutch of claim 1, wherein said clasp base has a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button, said removable clasp having an indent formed therein for receiving said latch, and wherein when said release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows said removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch.
 3. A customizable clutch comprising: a main body having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections attached along a bottom side by a hinge, each of the pair of half sections having a magnetic portion; and an interchangeable rigid inner shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a magnetic portion to removably attach to the magnetic portions in the pair of half sections of the main body; and an interchangeable outer shell having a pair of half sections, each of the pair of half sections having a fastener to removably attach to the pair of half sections of the interchangeable rigid inner shell.
 4. The customizable clutch of claim 1, wherein said clasp base has a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button, said removable clasp having an indent formed therein for receiving said latch and wherein when said release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows said removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch.
 5. A customizable clutch comprising: a main body with two half shells; an interchangeable clasp mechanism having a clasp base and at least one removable clasp; said clasp base having a spring-loaded latching mechanism with a latch and a release button; and said removable clasp having a recess formed therein for receiving said latch; wherein when said release button is depressed, the spring loaded latching mechanism allows said removable clasp to be removed from the customizable clutch. 